UAV Ground-Vehicle Emulation Using Holographic Light Projection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) poses aesthetic and safety concerns due to their high-altitude operation, which can be visually unpleasing and risky for traditional ground-based vehicles sharing the road, as drivers may not recognize UAVs operating in a ground-based vehicle emulation mode, potentially leading to collisions.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables UAVs to operate in a ground-based vehicle (GBV) emulation mode by projecting light patterns to resemble a GBV, adhering to traffic rules and maintaining a low altitude, using holographic projectors to enhance the perceived size and shape, thereby mimicking the appearance of a GBV while navigating roads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If UAVs operate at high altitude, then they can avoid ground traffic, but they create aesthetic concerns and safety risks due to lack of recognition by ground-based vehicle drivers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by projecting light patterns that replicate the visual appearance of ground-based vehicles. The system creates optical copies of GBV shapes, sizes, and configurations using arrays of light-emitting elements, allowing UAVs to visually mimic GBVs and be recognized by drivers as legitimate road users rather than unrecognized aerial objects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes by dynamically adjusting the illumination intensity and color characteristics of light-emitting elements. The system varies light patterns in terms of brightness, color temperature, and spatial distribution to differentiate between emulated vehicle types (e.g., passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles) and to enhance visibility against different background conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If UAVs operate at high altitude, then they can maintain operational freedom, but they create visual unpleasance and safety concerns in urban environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the light-emitting elements movable and adjustable. The system can dynamically reconfigure the spatial arrangement, intensity, and pattern of light elements to adapt to different emulation requirements (different vehicle types, different lighting conditions, different flight phases), allowing UAVs to maintain operational versatility while reducing aesthetic and safety concerns through adaptive visual presentation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes light patterns in terms of intensity, color, and spatial distribution to enhance visibility and reduce aesthetic concerns. By adjusting illumination characteristics, the UAV can blend better with the visual environment or stand out when safety requires higher visibility
3Reliability
If UAVs emulate ground-based vehicles, then they become recognizable to drivers, but they require complex light projection systems to achieve accurate visual representation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the light projection system into multiple independent light-emitting elements arranged in arrays. Each element can be independently controlled to create different portions of the emulated vehicle shape, allowing the system to build complex visual representations through simple, modular components rather than requiring a single complex projection mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical projection systems with electronically controllable light-emitting elements. Instead of using mechanical mirrors, lenses, or moving parts to project images, the system uses arrays of electronically addressable light sources that can be programmed to create the desired visual patterns, reducing mechanical complexity while improving reliability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces the aesthetic and safety risks associated with UAV operation by making them more recognizable to ground-based vehicle drivers, enhancing safety and reducing the visual impact of UAVs in urban environments.
Implementation Method 1
using holographic projectors to enhance the perceived size and shape
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented. The method computer program products, and systems can include, for instance: examining data specifying a plurality of alternative candidate routes for travel by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from a current location of the UAV to a destination location; selecting one of the alternative candidate routes as a selected route for travel by the UAV; and controlling the UAV so that while the UAV travels along the selected route the UAV emulates a ground based vehicle (GBV).